If you’re not middle aged, pick a younger age, IDK
He’d be disappointed that he doesn’t end up doing anything epic and world-changing, but then he’d immediately be relieved that he’s mostly got shit figured out. Wife, home, job, driving, cooking, all the basic stuff.
Then he’d realize he only thought he needed to do something epic because he couldn’t picture himself having those basic things figured out. This would take him a few minutes to process, so he wouldn’t say anything.
“Thank you for warning. I’m leaving right now to make sure [name removed] is not able to enlist”.
My friend was killed by the United States Army.
“So we’re still a fat fucking loser. Great. Nice cat though.”
Are you in my house?
So I’m 30. At 19 this time of year I was on the verge of accepting that I’m a trans woman (i thought I was nonbinary [yes gender] and never coming out). And yeah today I’m in the process of moving to a blue state with my wife.
19 year old me would mostly be shocked I want to live tbh
damn, maybe I should stop smoking weed and stay in college
You figured out what to do in life and landed a nice career? Nice!
You’re still single? That really sucks.
Our family blew up? Dad’s gone? Oh…
At 19, it was right before a rough few years. My parents went through a messy and drawn-out divorce that I was dragged through the middle of, and ended with my dad dying. Those events helped me figure out who I was and ultimately led me to where I am today, which is in a pretty good spot, but it was a terrible price to pay.
“How can you possibly live your life and not care what people think? Impossible!”
It can be done, 19 year old me. ☺️
“Non-bina-what? Don’t know about it. But let’s focus on the real information please. We don’t play League of Legends anymore? What do we play with our friends then? … we left our friends because they were idiots? WHAT? HOW?”
Oof. There are some feels there.
My 19yo self would be very excited to see the enby hottie I’ve become, wholly unsurprised to learn that I’m still with the partners I was at the time, and very worried about what could have happened to destroy my faith in singularitarianism.
I’d have to go back to 10yo me to find an egg. Parents divorced the year before, and I was still devouring the local library for fun because we didn’t have internet yet. Little-Me would have incessant questions I wouldn’t be able to answer without violating the trans prime directive, but I do deeply wish I could have had just one enby role model back then so I wouldn’t have had to spend my first puberty in denial instead of on puberty blockers.
I’m just surviving, dawg
You’re earning how much? (Well, inflation is a bummer)
You’re taking dance classes without being forced? WHY?
You have how many cats? Man are they cute!
I don’t believe a word about your relationships and sex life. And shame on you, if it would be true!
A lot of time has passed since I was 19 and looking back at that 19-year-old dude, he would have the hardest time understanding how I got to where I am now. If I could, I would try to beat some sense into that guy, which might have made things along the way easier.
He’d ignore me then yell “I knew it! I’m going bald!”
19 year old me would say “ah so you didn’t get into that university that offered industrial design eh? But I like computers so a software job is okay. Also sort of living the dream of being in a cool part of town but you aren’t really taking advantage of it.”
We are still on course just with a unplan sidemission with our boyfriend
“… Wait, that’s a job? I don’t understand.”
What is your job?
I’m a research analyst. I write research about technology, give advice to companies about it, and present at conferences in person on it.
“you’re still alive? You own a house? You’re dating a divorced mom and her and her daughter moved in? You have 4 cats?”
I was really depressed and had undiagnosed ADHD. I genuinely believed that I wouldn’t make it to 30. I was sure that my life was going to end at my own hand. I also didn’t think I was worthy of love or that I’d ever find a woman who I could have a relationship with.
So yea, my 19 year old self would be very surprised that I exist at all.
